Remembering the news of 2024

Although we are already eight days into the new year, we are still remembering all the best and worst things that occurred in Custer County last year. We are diligently working on our “Best of” publication that we now do annually, that recalls the (mostly good) things that made last year the year it was. That will be included in both the Custer County Chronicle and the Hill City Prevailer News in our Jan. 22 issues. Businesses that haven’t placed an ad in that upcoming keepsake piece, we encourage you to do so ASAP!
As for the year that was, there was plenty of big news both nationally and abroad. Out of curiosity, we went through the statistics of our website to see which of our stories were the most read from the previous year.
Topping the list of our most read stories on our website, myblackhillscountry.com, was the April story about the murder committed by Pablo Andrade, who forced his way into a residence just west of Custer and gunned down a Texas man, assaulted a woman and then fled, eventually making it all the way to Colorado before he was intercepted by law enforcement in that state and eventually committed suicide.
The second-most read story was that of the discovery of Johnna Bense’s vehicle and body in rural Fall River County. Bense had gone missing in April, last seen leaving her apartment in Custer without her glasses, hearing aid or medication.
The third-most read article on our website was actually an editorial about the situation in eastern Custer County regarding the indictment of Charles and Heather Maude, and a 70-year-old fence allegedly blocking public lands access. There has been no outcome to that case, which has drawn the outrage of many as the federal government using a hammer to swat a fly. The government has remained mum on the issue to date.
Our article about a cyclist being hit by a vehicle as it crossed the highway near Pringle was our fourth most read post, followed by a story on forced approached locations in the county, and finally, an editorial regarding our take on Meshell Will finally, mercifully, receiving justice for her murder. The man who admitted to killing Will—or at least playing a role in her death—via Alford Plea, Richard  Schmitz, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Yes, it was a light sentence for killing a human being, but there is no guarantee Schmitz would have been convicted had the case gone to court.
As you can see from the above list, bad news interests people. Good, bad or indifferent, that’s the way it is. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t hope for 2025 to be a year full of mostly positive news, of uplifting stories of the people of this county doing great things. There is much more positive going on in our neck of the woods than there is negative, and for that, we are grateful.
Here’s to all of you who will make news in 2025. We look forward to covering all the things you do that make this a great place to live.